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WHAT PRODUCTS CAN BE USED IN EUROPE?
PART 1
Here are the most common issues faced by our products when used overseas:
- Electricity differences
- Telephone line issues and compatibility
| | | Electricity Differences | |
While we don't specifically mention that our products are designed for Canada and the United States, the plug-in modules have the pin configuration that is unique for 120 volts AC. For more technical information, see our Foreign Products Technical Information page.
Beside the voltage and hertz issues, there are differences between the outlets for plug-in modules and the physical size of in-wall receptacles and wall switches. Additionally, there are issues involved with each country when anything is attached to the AC lines. Here in North America, our X10 devices are certified for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory like UL, ETL, or CSA. Only the very largest of electronics manufactures are willing to go through the regulatory obstacles in each country or region to market a product. Many electrical products sold in EU countries need to be locally fused and for X10 transmitters, meet requirements for electromagnetic emissions.
Besides X10 home automation products, some of our products can easily be adapted for use overseas. While we don't suggest getting into a product with a soldering iron and changing components in the power supply of a device, sometimes just changing a switch or plug adapter will get your home automation gizmo up and running.
 Many of the devices we sell come with external plug-in transformers. Also called "wall-warts", "AC Adapters", or "Transformers", these plug in devices take the wall voltage and convert it to some lower value. For example, all the Hardwired Security Systems we offer actually run off 16.5 volts AC. Nearly all the Video Cameras run off 12 volts DC.
Local electronics stores that sell stereo gear, office machines, and batteries are good sources to find suitable AC adapters. These adapters are made to fit the electricity outlets in your country and should have the proper approvals from the government or safety agencies. Most of these devices have the same output power plug to go into the device. If it doesn't, an individual skilled with a soldering iron can splice the low-voltage output power cord from the 120-volt adapter and safely attach it to the 220-volt adapter, but this rarely needs to happen.
On most of our web pages, we try to allude to the fact that an AC adapter is used to operate a product. This is your clue that it can be used in your country with a locally obtained adapter. If you are not sure about an item, please e-mail our Technical Support Team.
If the AC cord is permanently attached to the unit, then we don't recommend it for overseas use even if you buy a big 220 to 120 volt AC transformer.
| | | Telephone Line Issues | |
Many times we get asked if our telephone products can be used overseas. We have some pretty neat Cordless Phones, Caller ID Devices, and Phone Systems for homes and business.
Putting aside issues involving wireless (discussed later) and voltage (discussed above), there are two questions about using telephone devices outside of North America: compatibility to the local phone system and Caller ID (my favorite).
Most of the phone exchanges outside of North America are based upon the system installed by AT&T over 50 years ago. In most cases, if you can get around the differences between the phone jacks here and in your country, the phone will probably work to one extent or another. There are nearly 40 different phone jacks in use throughout the world.
You will still need to be concerned with local regulations concerning the connection of an "un-approved" phone device to your lines. A visitor from Germany once told me how the federal officials were seizing cordless phones from private citizens' residences. Leaving the store with boxes of cordless phones and auto-dialers, he didn't seem too concerned about an inspection by the "Phone Police."
| | | Telephone Products With Caller ID | |
Caller ID products are another product line we get many calls about. Some of these units have compatibility issues besides the obvious ones. Some of our caller products display onto a television screen and speak English!
All Caller ID equipment must first have Caller ID service from the phone company. If the phone company provides Caller ID service, then these boxes should be readily available at stores in your country.
| | | How Different Caller ID Systems Work | |
In the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Israel, Caller ID is transmitted as a burst of a Bell 202 FSK (Frequency Shift Key) modem signal between the first and second ringing cycles. Therefore, you should always wait for the second ring before you pick up the receiver. Otherwise, the central office will abort and fail to retransmit the Caller ID data if you pick up too quickly.
British Telecom and several other European telephone companies will transmit a Caller ID signal before the first ring. This implementation avoids the early pickup problem. Not surprisingly, British Telecom has shied away from Bell 202 in favor of its CCITT cousin, V.23. In practice, any Bell 202 FSK receiver worth its salt will also detect V.23. The Dutch telephone company has its own implementation of caller ID, which uses DTMF (dual-tone modulated-frequency) tones.
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